May 25th Ride

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since we last blog. Members of the VeloViet Cycling club has been busy on KoM rides, racing at the local crits, and buying new bikes of course!

Regarding KoM centuries, Century Captain Keith led a small group of VVs, including Ironman, Luke, Thanh, and Uyen, to tackle Planet Ultra's King of the Mountains Century Challenge. 3 tough KoM centuries within a short period time that took alot of dedication and training. Congrats KoM Team!

On the racing scene, FedEx has reached Cat3 status! He continues to race the local crits, such as the IGP, while training our VeloViet team members at SkyPark. The SkyPark folks are getting exceptionally strong!

Rogue Racer Rose continues to grace the local Time Trial scene. Triple Threat Rose dominates in this individual event, as well as on any rides that has roads that goes uphill!

As for new bikes, all I can say is... Chipollini! Coming and will be ridden by Steve and BaoAnh. Also check out the pure black Dogma ridden by Kristee!

Now for today's ride.... it was like a reunion of sort. Some of our MIA members came out today. Andy is working out of state but is back in town for a ride. Dashaan shows up looking like he has not miss a beat. Mac is available now as the tax season is over. Tuan is taking a little break from racing.

Photo - Andy and Tuan Jubilant in Seeing Each Other

Photo - Tuan, Dashaan, and Mac

Photo - Brian and Kym

Photo - Hoa & The Rock Racing Brothers

Photo - Ngoc, Keith, and Vu

Photo - Chi, Thang, and Jonathan

Photo - Kristee's Dad Came Out and Say Hi to the VeloViet

On Bushard, there were a lot of social talk as everyone was chatting with everyone. Greg, John, Tuan, Brian, Arnel, Hoa, and Chanh were manning the front.

Photo - Front Pack on Bushard

Photo - Anh Sang and His Wife

Photo - Dashaan and Cap't Catching Up

At PCH, Cap't split the large pack into 3 groups: The fast team would tackle the route via Hwy 133 led by Greg G and John, the Mac party crew would take a shorter 45 mile route, while the mid pack would stick with Cap't and tackle the route via Back Bay. I would be part of this mid pack.

Photo - Tandem Crews on PCH Stop

Photo - Our Newest Member Michael

Photo - Dashaan and Andy

On Back Bay, the VV ladies lit up the match! It was the Kristee and Karen Show as they effortlessly pull the pack at 21-22 mph! We have had one lady and one guy up front before, but I don't recall seeing two ladies up front at this speed for this long before. Amazing show of ladies strength!

Photo - Karen and Kristee Looking Pretty But Yet Dangerously Fast

This route had a lot of climbing! Bake, Portola, Glen Ranch, and Saddleback Ranch were all tough grinding climbs. We finally had a much needed break at the 35 mile mark on Saddleback Park. The fast group arrived a few minutes later. They must have been moving fast!

The return was super fun. FedEx and Rock Racer Can went nutz on the front. I saw speed on the flat around 31 mph! Good thing we had another break at CircleK!

Photo - The Guys Having a Good Laugh

Photo - RR An, BigH, and FedEx

Photo - Our Two Strong VeloViet Women Today: Kristee and Karen

Photo - Rock Racer Can on One of His Attack Today

On Jamboree and PCH, the pack split as the stronger riders separated themselves. I was with Keith, BaoAnh, Kristee, and DuyAnh on SART. DuyAnh must have had a good breakfast today as he was exceptionally strong and pulled us for most of the way on SART. Thanks DuyAnh!

Photo - Today's VeloViet Crew

Tired but happy to have spent some great riding time with my VeloViet Brothers and Sisters. See you all next week!

Out,
Phong